Returning to The Barn Theatre, Cirencester, after sell-out performances in 2022, Million Dollar Quartet is based on a legendary spontaneous recording session in Sun Studios, Memphis 70 years ago. Featuring Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis the audience are treated to an exciting, energetic and electrifying evening with encores of iconic songs turning the theatre performances into more of a concert with the audience singing, clapping and swaying to the beat.
The 1956 recording session is seen as a landmark event important for music history and inspiring artists that followed, such as the Beatles and Rolling Stones. The stage version is based on the book reporting the event by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux and captures this moment in time when, by chance, four great rock ‘n’ roll artists met in Sun Studios and made a recording. A local newspaper at the time quipped “this quartet could sell a million”, hence the name.
Nine extremely talented actor/musicians make up the cast and deliver iconic track after iconic track starting with Blue Suede Shoes and ending with See You later Alligator and Whole lotta Shakin’. Connor Payne (Elvis Presley) has the voice and perfects Elvis’s moves and gyrations while Christopher Erasmus (Johnny Cash) has the contrasting suitably deep rich voice. Joey Bradick (Carl Perkins) has plenty of tricky guitar solos revealing his expertise, while Joe Bence is the ebullient Jerry Lee Lewis with amazing keyboard skills. Geraint Downing (Brother Jay) on cello and Josh Haberfield (W.S. “Fluke” Holland) on drums keep the beat going. Eiméar Crealey (Dyanne Cover) has a rich voice which blends well with the other four.
The play traces the beginnings of the careers of these four Rock ‘n’ Roll artists and their journey to stardom. Each had been ‘discovered’ by Sam Phillips, the record producer, played convincingly by Darren Day. A series of flashbacks shows the artists signing with Sam Phillips and Sun Studio. Tensions are revealed when the artists decide to leave Phillips for a bigger record label.
The set blends recording studio and concert stage together with plenty of bright colourful lights which change to convey the atmosphere of high octane numbers and, in contrast, soulful ballads.
There was a standing ovation at the end from the audience which then morphed into the energetic and uplifting encores and a real concert party atmosphere. Million Dollar Quartet plays at the Barn until August 22nd don’t miss it, click here for tickets.
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